Bali Zoo & Bali Bird Park

Bali Zoo and Bali Bird Park are two of the most family-friendly attractions near Ubud, in the Gianyar area of central Bali. They're separate parks a short drive apart, and many families visit one or split a day between both. Both are walkable, well-shaded, and designed around close-up animal experiences rather than just viewing from a distance.

Bali Zoo is known for hands-on encounters and signature experiences like breakfast alongside orangutans, a nighttime safari, and feeding sessions with elephants and other animals. Bali Bird Park focuses on birdlife, with large walk-through aviaries where free-flying birds surround you, plus bird shows and other tropical species. Together they make an easy, memorable day for travelers with kids.

The standout experiences at these parks are the bookable add-ons, and the best ones sell out, so reserve them in advance. At Bali Zoo, breakfast with orangutans lets you eat near these great apes in the morning, and the night safari offers an after-dark walk and feeding experience that's very different from a daytime visit. There are also elephant interactions and various animal feedings throughout the day.

Bali Bird Park's appeal is the immersive aviaries, where you walk among free-flying birds, plus scheduled bird presentations and photo opportunities with parrots, owls and other species. Because these are timed or capacity-limited, planning around the schedule and booking premium experiences ahead ensures you don't miss them.

These parks are ideal for families with children, multi-generational groups, and anyone who prefers a relaxed, low-effort day over hiking or watersports. Paths are flat and easy, there's plenty of shade and seating, and you can move at your own pace. Fitness demands are minimal beyond a comfortable amount of walking.

A focused visit to one park usually takes around three to four hours, while doing both, or adding a special experience like breakfast with orangutans, can fill most of a day. The night safari at Bali Zoo runs into the evening, so it pairs well with an early dinner rather than a packed afternoon afterward.

Mornings are generally the best time to visit. Animals are more active and visible in the cooler early hours, the parks are quieter, and you avoid the strongest midday heat. Morning is also when experiences like breakfast with orangutans take place, so an early start lets you build the day around them.

If you want the night safari, that's an evening activity in its own right and is best planned as a separate visit or the tail end of the day. The parks operate year-round; the dry season (roughly April to October) means more comfortable walking, but the shaded paths make them enjoyable even during wet-season showers.

Both parks charge separate admission, and signature experiences like breakfast with orangutans or the night safari are priced as premium add-ons above standard entry. As approximate 2026 figures, standard adult admission to either park is in the region of IDR 350,000-600,000, with reduced child rates and higher package prices for the special experiences. Booking online in advance often secures better rates and guarantees your spot for timed experiences.

Dress for a warm, humid day of walking, and bring sun protection. A hat, light clothing and a refillable water bottle make the visit more comfortable, and a camera or phone is a must for the animal encounters.

These parks are built for families, but a little planning makes the day smoother. Arrive for opening to enjoy the cooler, quieter hours and catch the first feeding sessions, and check the daily schedule of shows and encounters when you enter so you can plan around the timed highlights. Keep children supervised during animal interactions and follow staff instructions, which exist for both visitor and animal welfare.

Strollers are manageable on the flat paths, and there are cafes and rest areas for breaks. If you're combining a daytime park with the night safari, build in a rest in the afternoon so younger children aren't overtired by evening.

Both parks sit near Ubud, so they combine naturally with central Bali sightseeing such as the Tegallalang rice terraces, a coffee plantation tasting, the Ubud monkey forest, or the artisan villages along the way. A private driver can build a gentle, family-paced day around your park visit and the timing of any booked experiences.

With Awan of Black Pepper Bali Tours, you can plan an early start for breakfast with the orangutans, see a few Ubud-area sights afterward, and have him drive you between everything at your own pace while he waits during each stop. Booking is over WhatsApp with no deposit, and you pay for the driving at the end of the day; park admission and experiences are bought separately, ideally reserved ahead.